Court bundles — the 20-minute rule every judge applies [full guide]
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara, 2026-08-27
The rule in one line
Most judges have a maximum of 20 minutes to read your bundle before a hearing. If your arguable point isn't inside the first ~5 pages and index-able in under a minute, it will not be read.
What to put in the front of the bundle
1. Position statement (one page) — what you want, and the 3 reasons, each with a page reference 2. Chronology (one page) — dates only, agreed facts marked "agreed" 3. The order you want drafted (if it's a consent / variation hearing) 4. Index tied to page numbers
The build
- PDF with a proper table of contents with working links
- Page numbers in the same place on every page
- Each deadline met: PD27A bundles are served so the judge has time to read before the hearing. See gov.uk practice direction 27A.
- Bundle id: e.g. "YFC-2026-BUNDLE-A-07-01"
What goes in
- Only documents the court will actually need — not your whole phone history
- Statements that match what you'll say in the witness box
- Exhibits labelled with a bundle page number, so the judge can jump
What goes out
- Un-paginated screengrabs (unless inconsequential to a child)
- Duplicate pages of the same document
- A 40-page "everything I feel" statement (the judge wants facts, evidenced, child-first)
Checklist — use 5 days before
- [ ] Position statement ≤ 2 pages
- [ ] Chronology ≤ 2 pages
- [ ] Index with page numbers
- [ ] All pages numbered
- [ ] Names consistent / no typos on first page
- [ ] Served to the other side + court on time
Now go build it calmly. — YourFamilyCase.co.uk, independent guide.